Plug-receptacle.



No. 707,5l6. Paiented Aug. I9, 902.

of J. KLEIN.

PLUG RECEPTACLE.

:Application led Apr. 5, 1902.)

{Nu Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet I.

No. 707,516. Patented Aug. I9, |902.

C. J. KLEIN.

PLUG RECEPTACLE.

[Application led Apr. 5, 1902.)

(llo Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

CIIARLES J. KLEIN, OF NEVI YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO THE C-K MANU-FACTURING COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.,

AND JERSEY CITY, NEV

JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEIV JERSEY.

PLUG-RECEPTACLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 707,516, dated August19, 1902. Application filed April 5, 1902. Serial No. 101,474. (Nomodel.)

.To ctZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES J. KLEIN, a citizen of the United States,residing at New York, county and State of New York, have invented newand useful Improvements in Plug-Receptacles, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to plug-receptacles for electric circuits, andmore particularly to 1o Hush-plug receptacles; and it has for its objectto provide an improved device of this class which will be relativelysimple and inexpensive in construction, convenient and inexpensive ininstallation and connecting i5 up, convenient in use, unobstructive andneat in appearance, and generally superior in point of efiiciency andadaptability to varying conditions of use.

In Hush-plug receptacles as heretofore dezo signed various closure meansfor the plugopening in the face-plate have been provided; but the samehave been open to the objection that the closure means have requiredindependent manipulation to permit insertion or 2 5 withdrawal of theplug, and,furthermore,said closure means have ordinarily embodied doorsor covers liable to be left in an open position, thus permittingentrance of foreign substances into the receptacle and causing dan- 3oger of short-circuiting in various manners. These doors or covers haveordinarily been mounted to open outwardly, thus presenting obstructionand unsightly appearance.`

In the practice of my invention I provide closure means for theplug-opening in the face-plate of the receptacle which normallyautomatically retain a position flush with the surface of the face-platewhen the plug is out of the receptacle and cannot project in front 4o ofor beyond the face-plate to cause obstruction or unsightly appearance.Furthermore, my improved closure means are constructed and arranged toopen inwardly of the receptacle, which latter is formed to receive thesame, and so open inwardly automatically when the plug is inserted inthe receptacle and automatically resume the normal position flush withthe surface of the face-plate when the plug is withdrawn from the recep*tacle. It thus results that to open and close 5o the plug-opening in theface-plate of the receptacle for the purpose of inserting or Withdrawingthe plug requires no independent operation, and when the plug is formedat `its outer end portion to exactly iit and ill the opening in theface-plate a neat flush condition of the face-plate and the plug may beobtained when the plug is home in the re ceptacle.

My improved receptacle is, furthermore, 6o preferably formed of two bodymembers or molded poreelains, which are detachably con nected and withwhich the contacts for the plug are so associated as to permithighly-convenient'and speedy connecting up of the re- 65 ceptacle withthe circuit-wires- In the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of aiiush-plug receptacle constructed in accordance with my invention, theplug being shown in operative position. Fig. 2 is 7o a centrallongitudinal sectional View of the same with the parts in the positionshown in Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. l with the plugdetached from the receptacle, the closure means for the plug-opening inthe face-plate being shown in normal position. Fig. 4 is a detail topplan view of the inner body member of the receptacle. Fig. 5 is a detailtransverse sectional view of the receptacle. Fig. 6 is a detail innerface View of 8o the face-plate of the improved receptacle.

Corresponding parts in all the figures are denoted by the same referencecharacters.

Referring with particularity to the drawings, my improvedplug-receptacle comprises 8 5 two separate body members, an inner memberl and an outer member 2, respectively, which are formed of insulatingmaterial, such as molded porcelain, and which when assembled form aninner receptacle-chamber 3, 9o within which the contacts 4 and 5 arearranged and within which are accommodated the closure means 6 of theplug-opening 7 in the face-plate 8, which covers the receptacle at thetop when said closure means are engaged by the plug 9 in the insertionof the same into the receptacle. The receptacle may be installed inoperative position in iioors, walls, ceilings, or other parts ofbuilding construction in the customary or any suitable manner, so thatthe face-plate S is iiush with the surface floor, wall, orotherconstruction, and the closure means 6 normally occupy the positionshown in Fig. 3 and in their outer surface portions constitntepart ofthe perfectly flush outer surface portion of the faceplate 8. The plug 9embodies the plug-contacts 10 and 11, which when the plug is inserted inthe receptacle engage with the receptacle-contacts 4 and 5,respectively, in the customary manner, and said plug is preferablyprovided with a flat crown 12, which completely fills the plug-opening 7in the faceplate 8 and the outer surface of which may be flush orsubstantially iiush with the outer surface of the face-plate 8, asdesired.

In the preferred form-of construction the inner body member 1 of thereceptacle consists of a hollow porcelain block 1, closed at its sides13, ends 14, and bottom 15 and open at the top. The top edges of thesides 13 of said porcelain block 1a are longitudinally grooved, as at16. The receptacle-col'itacts4E and 5 embody top end portions 17, whichare lapped over the top edges of said side portions 13at opposite pointssubstantially intermediate of the ends of said side portions 13, andsaid top end portions 17 may be secured in position by binding-screws1S, which take into the block 1n. The major portions 19 of thereceptacle-contacts 4 and 5 project downwardly within the hollow block 1in opposed relation, whereby they may be closely engaged by the contacts10 and 11 of the plug 9. The receptacle-contacts 4 and 5 may be of anypreferred form or style best adapted to the service to which they aresubjected. The end portions 14 of the block 1a are centrally verticallybored to receive screws 20, the threaded ends of which project slightlyabove the top edges of said end portions 14 and the heads of which arereceived in chambers 21, formed in the block l, Said screws 20 arecombined with brackets 21, which are also screwed tothe face-plate 8, asat 21, and constitute, with said screws 20, means 22 for securing theinner and outer body members 1 and 2, respectively, of the receptacleand the face-plate in assembled position and in complete form forinstallation for use.

The outer body member2 of the receptacle consists of a hollow porcelainblock 2, which is closed at the sides 23 and ends 24 and is open at thetop and bottom. The bottom edges of the side portions 23 of the block2fL are provided each with a longitudinal groove 25, which grooves 25correspond with the grooves 16 in the top edges of the side portions 13of the block 1, and the dimensions of the side port-ions 23 and endportions 24 of the block 2a correspond with the dimensions of thecorresponding portions of the block 1, whereby when said block 2 isseated upon said block 1' the entirety will complete a continuousreceptacle-body, and the grooves 25 and 16 will extend in registrationand constitute two continuous bores extending through the receptaclefrom end to end and at opposite sides of the same. The face-plate 8rests directly upon the top edges of the side and end portions of thebloc 2a and'extends outwardly beyond the same to a predetermined extent.The plug-opening 7 in said face-plate 8 is formed centrally of the sameand communicates directly with the receptacle-chamber 3, within whichare arranged the receptacle-contacts 4 and 5.

The closure means 6 embody a pivoted inwardly-opening spring-actuatedmember 26, which is arranged to normally extend across the plug-opening7 in a position flush with the outer surface of the face-plate and whichupon insertion of the plug into the plug-receptacle is swung inwardly ofthe receptacle, space being provided for the same within thereceptacle-chamber 3. Two of the members 26 of the closure means 6 arepreferably provided, and said members 26 are arranged at the ends of theplugopening 7, which is preferably rectangular and oblong in form, saidmembers 26 being of identical proportions and dimensions and servingjointly to entirely close the plug-opening 7 when in normal positionHush with the outer surface of the face-plate. Each of said members 26may be provided with a laterallyprojecting lug 27 or any suitablesubstitute to prevent the spring projection of the respective member 26beyond the face-plate 8 or ont of the normal position, in which theouter surfaces of said members 26 are iiush with the outer surface ofthe face-plate. Each of the members 26 in the preferred form ofconstruction is hinged to the face-plate, as at 2S, beneath the same,and a suitable spring 29 or its equivalent is incorporated in the hingeconstruction at 28 and exerts a constant tendency to project therespective member 26 outwardly or into operative or flush position.

The operation and advantages of my improved plug-receptacle will bereadily understood. When the receptacle is outof use and the closuremeans 6 are in operative position, the pivoted spring-projected members26 extend in theirouter surface portions flush with the outer surfaceportion of the face-plate 8, and the face-plate and closure means 6present a substantially unbroken flush surface appearance.Likewiseallforeignsubstances are excluded from the receptacle-chamber 3,and the dangerof short-circuitingwithin said chamber is minimized. Inorder to electrically connect the plug 9 with the receptaclecontacts 4and 5, it is only necessary 'to apply the plug to the hingedspring-projected closure-means members 26, with the contacts 10 and 11,respectively, in position to engage withthe receptacle-contacts 5 and4,and then to forcibly insert said plug against the tension of thesprings 29, incorporated in the hinge connection at 2S of the members26.

IOS

IIO

This forcible insertion of the plug swings the pivoted members 26 openin opposite directions into the receptacle-chamber 3 into the positionsshown in Fig. 2, and the plug readily passes through the plug-opening 7in the face-plate into position wherein the plug-contacts 10 and 11engage electrically with the respective contacts 5 and 4t. 1t will benoted that the displacement of the members 26 of the closure means fromoperative position is effected automatically by and simultaneously withthe insertion of the plug into the receptacle and that the said members26 are moved inwardly into the receptacle chamber 3, wherein they arehidden and do not project outwardly from the face-plate 8 to presentunsightly obstructions. When the plug is entirely home, its outer endportion, formed of the plate 12, as shown, may extend flush orsubstantially iiush with the outer surface ofthe face-plate 8. Thetension ofthe springprojected members 26 upon the plug when the latteris home within the receptacle serves to positively hold and maintain theplug` in circuit-making position within the receptacle and to avoidinadvertent detachment of the plug.

The entire device is extremely convenient in installation and in wiring.The line-wires 30, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3, are led through thegrooves 16 in the inner body member 1 previous to the connection of theouter body member 2 and the face-plate S with said inner body member l.Said line-wires 30 are bared or skinned, as at 3l, where they engagewith the top portions 17 of the receptacle-contacts 4 and 5,and saidbared orskinned portions 3l are connected with said top portions 17 ofsaid receptacle-contacts by means of the binding-screws 18. The outerbody member 2 is then placed upon the inner body member 1, theface-plate 8 is placed upon the outer body member 2, and the brackets 21are connected with the face-plate 8, as at 21, thus binding the two bodymembers and the face-plate firmly together. The line-wires 30 thus liewithin the bores extending longitudinally of the receptacle andconsisting of the grooves 16 and 25, in which bores they are thoroughlyinsulated and protected.

The entire device is relatively simple in construction and highlyconvenient in installation, connecting up, and use, and the closuremeans for the plug-opening in the receptacle are automatically operatedin the insertion of the plug, requiring no separate manipulation. Saidclosure means, furthermore, never project outwardly of the faceplate tocause unsightly appearance or obstruction.

1 do not desire to be understood as limiting myself to the particularconstruction, formation, or association of parts as herein specified,but reserve the right to vary the same in adapting my device to varyingconditions of use Without departing from the spirit of my invention andthe terms of the Jfollowing claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent- 1. A plug-receptacle provided with a faceplate having aplug-opening therein; and closure means for said plug-opening embodyinga pivoted, tensionally-actuated member arranged to be swung inwardly ofthe receptacle upon the insertion of the plug.

2. A plug-receptacle provided with a faceplate having a plug-openingtherein; and closure means for said plug-opening comprising twooppositely-disposed, pivoted, tensionallyactuated members arranged to beswung oppositely and inwardly of the receptacle upon the insertion ofthe plug.

3. A plug-receptacle provided with a faceplate having a plug-openingtherein; closure means for said plug-opening embodying a pivoted,tensionally-actuated member arranged to be swung inwardly of thereceptacle upon the insertion of the plug; and means for maintainingsaid pivoted member normally flush with the outer surface of saidface-plate.

4. A plug-receptacle provided with a faceplate having a plug-openingtherein; closure means for said plug-opening comprising twooppositely-disposed, pivoted, tensionally-actuated members arranged tobe swung oppositely and inwardly of the receptacle upon the insertion ofthe plug; and means for maintaining said pivoted members normally flushwith the outer surface of said face-plate.

5. A plug-receptacle provided with a faceplate having a plug-openingtherein; and closure means forsaid plug-opening openinginwardly of thereceptacle and operated by the insertion of the plug.

6. A plug-receptacle provided with a faceplate having a plug-openingtherein; closure means for said plug-opening comprising twotensionally-actuated members which are pivoted to said face-plate atopposite sides of said plug-opening and are arranged to be swungoppositely and inwardly of the receptacle upon the insertion of theplug; /and means for maintaining said tensionally-actuated membersnormally flush with the outer surface of said face-plate.

7. An improved plug-receptacle, comprising an inner body member and anouter body member jointly forming an inner receptaclechamber;receptacle-contacts arranged within said receptacle-chamber; aface-plate covering said outer body member and having a plug-openingformed therein; closure means for said plug-openin, comprising twospringprojected, pivoted members connected with said face-plate andarranged to be swung oppositely and inwardly of the receptacle upon theinsertion of the plug; and means for maintaining said spring-projectedmembers normally flush with the outer surface of said face- IOO IZO

plate; said inner body member and said outer body member being` groovedin registration to receive line-Wires in position for connection withsaid receptacle-contacts.

the line-Wires in connection With said recep- 'LaCie-contacts; and meansfor securing the said body members in operative connection.

S. Inanimproved plug-receptacle,aninnerl In testimony whereof I havesigned my 5 body member and an outer body member i name to thisspecification in the presence of I5 jointly forming an innerreceptacle-Chamber; l receptacle-contacts arranged Within said releepteole-ohamber; grooves formed in regisi IVitnesses:

two subscribing Witnesses.

CHARLES .I KLEIN.

tration in said inner body member and said io outer body member andadapted to receive HENRY P. KLEIN, WM. SCHNEIDER.

